Tropical Fish Forums

[jarnhestur]

I have a 40g tank with 4 angels (3.5", only about a year old) and 6 cherry barbs. After a recent apondectimy and missed water changes, I've got a good bit of algae. I've cleaned it up a bit, but it keeps coming back. Instead of pulling out all the decor, would it be possible to add 3 oto's?

The angels ignore the cherry barbs so I'm not worried about compatibility as much as what my stocking level is when everything is fully grown. These are my first angels so I'm not sure how big they'll get.

Water parameters are good, 0, 0, under 20. pH is 7.2-7.4.

Thanks!

[diademhill]

I would get a bristlenose instead of ottos.

These eat more green algae.

[Zelgadis]

I have 2 otos and a whole lot of red cherry shrimp and malaysian trumpet snails keeping my 14 gallon tank algae free.

I picked the RCS for their appetite for dead plant matter but they tend to eat most live plants just as readily. You probably don't need or want them though.

Otos are some of the smallest catfish out there and shouldn't threaten your angels or anything else. With the size of your tank, I'd be tempted to try a Siamese Algae Eater. That said, a pleco is probably fine too.

I keep the snails because they keep my gravel clean. They're something else you could consider.

For more to choose from, check this article http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_algae_eaters.php

[nikelodeon79]

I would not add otos to this setup, as you have a lot of fish in there. Otos are very sensitive to water conditions and it would be difficult to maintain the type of environment they need to survive.
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